online parts sources in Canada

[shogun]

I just found this one, maybe others can list their soucres and can give some hints
http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/

[Dave M]

I just found this one, maybe others can list their soucres and can give some hints
http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/

I've often considered buying from these guys, but BMA is always slightly cheaper and I have a US addressto ship to within 60km of my home. Their prices on things such as rads, brake pads, spark plugs and such are quite good, and as the CAN dollar drops further relative to the US dollar, these prices will compete even better. While a weak CAN dollar is detrimental to my auto parts shopping experience, it sure helps our economy.

DAve

[repenttokyo]

Never buy parts in Canada. The markup on most items is 40 percent and sometimes doubles or triples the American prices. The dealer is good for some small things tho, like clips, etc.

[tim eh?]

I just found this one, maybe others can list their soucres and can give some hints
http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/


I ordered something from them once, can't remember what it was but it got to me fast IIRC.
I haven't been able to find another decent canadian online parts distributor.

I mostly use BMA or pelicanparts - they ship USPS which is important for us, other companies have huge customs broker fees.

It really depends on the kind of part you are getting.

Major stuff (eg gas tank, exhaust, tires) I cough up for and pay a mechanic's supplier prices... it costs way more to buy parts here than in the USA no matter how you do it, and when you're forking it over you might as well get the part and labour guaranteed i feel, especially if you are going to let winter have a go at the car.

Minor stuff (eg fuel pump, brakes, filters) I'll get locally at independent places, and the closest dealer knows me too.

[repenttokyo]

I ordered something from them once, can't remember what it was but it got to me fast IIRC.
I haven't been able to find another decent canadian online parts distributor.

I mostly use BMA or pelicanparts - they ship USPS which is important for us, other companies have huge customs broker fees.

It really depends on the kind of part you are getting.

Major stuff (eg gas tank, exhaust, tires) I cough up for and pay a mechanic's supplier prices... it costs way more to buy parts here than in the USA no matter how you do it, and when you're forking it over you might as well get the part and labour guaranteed i feel, especially if you are going to let winter have a go at the car.

Minor stuff (eg fuel pump, brakes, filters) I'll get locally at independent places, and the closest dealer knows me too.

do you use canbec?

[BMWDriver]

do you use canbec?

I did for the window plastic bits that are part of raising the windows. Better be early on Fridays. They, so far, seem to be on par with BM Service Exclusif (Norbert).

[tim eh?]

I did for the window plastic bits that are part of raising the windows. Better be early on Fridays. They, so far, seem to be on par with BM Service Exclusif (Norbert).

i go to canbec too - paulo in parts is a right top gentleman. actually, my car is a canbec car - they won't give me the service records though.

*****- http://www.bmwcanbec.com/en/index.spy

[Ken35i]

Sweet, the Aussie dollar fairs up better with the Canadian. I'll be checking it out ;)

[Dave M]

Never buy parts in Canada. The markup on most items is 40 percent and sometimes doubles or triples the American prices. The dealer is good for some small things tho, like clips, etc.

If you have a look at their prices, they are nowhere near the double or triple you r state. In fact, with our dollar as weak as it is, they're pretty darn close to BMA, depending on whether you pay brokerage, duties etc. serously, have a good look before poo-pooing all Canadian suppliers.

Dave

[shogun]

Recommened on Bimmerboard for Toronto area

http://www.techmax.ca/
http://www.lakesidemotors.ca/

[repenttokyo]

If you have a look at their prices, they are nowhere near the double or triple you r state. In fact, with our dollar as weak as it is, they're pretty darn close to BMA, depending on whether you pay brokerage, duties etc. serously, have a good look before poo-pooing all Canadian suppliers.

Dave

it really depends on what car you are buying for. for example, notice that I said 'car parts', not necessarily BMW parts. An air compressor for my Lincoln Mark VIII was 600 dollars in Canada at the dealership. It was 70 dollars us at a dealership in Arizona.

Try pricing something like an AC compressor at the dealer and then check BMA and I think you will be unpleasantly surprised :(

Also, I don't pay brokerage or duty. When I lived in Canada, I had an American mail box that I had items sent to, and I went across and picked them up myself or had my father do it. That removes significant cost. I NEVER had anything shipped across the border. It is an effort that is worth making, and it's why I never buy parts in Canada unless I am absolutely forced to.

[Dave M]

it really depends on what car you are buying for. for example, notice that I said 'car parts', not necessarily BMW parts. An air compressor for my Lincoln Mark VIII was 600 dollars in Canada at the dealership. It was 70 dollars us at a dealership in Arizona.

Try pricing something like an AC compressor at the dealer and then check BMA and I think you will be unpleasantly surprised :(

Also, I don't pay brokerage or duty. When I lived in Canada, I had an American mail box that I had items sent to, and I went across and picked them up myself or had my father do it. That removes significant cost. I NEVER had anything shipped across the border. It is an effort that is worth making, and it's why I never buy parts in Canada unless I am absolutely forced to.

No kidding, try comparing dealership prices on anything other than plastic door clips, rad clips or a cup of coffee. I would never compare a Canadian dealership to supplers like BMA and agree there is no contest. Further, I've had a US address for a number of years now and never pay brokerage/duties etc. Its a great way to go and has saved me a lot. However, the Canadian parts supplier we're discussing in this thread (not dealerships......) is as close as I've seen to anything o like BMA (once our weak dollar is considered). As well, albeit small, there is also a cost in time and gas to go retrieve items at the border.

Aside - I was just at the border in MN yesterday and payed $0.62 for gas. Would never have predicted that 6 months ago, crazy.

Dave

[Dave M]

Recommened on Bimmerboard for Toronto area

http://www.techmax.ca/
http://www.lakesidemotors.ca/

Ahh, Lakeside. I bought an M50 block from them. I prepped it and metaticulously bebuilt my engine (along with a lot of other things). Started on the first attempt and all seemed great untill I noticed the car shaking a bit. Hmmm, seems the crankshaft is bent....... 8 hours later the block was back on a pallet to ship to Lakeside. They were pretty good about it, replaced the crankshaft and payed for all the shipping and consumables I used in the process. F-in frustrating though. I am now very good at M50 teardowns :D

All in all, they have a lot of stuff kicking around and are very good communicators. I would recommend them.

Dave

[tim eh?]

No kidding, try comparing dealership prices on anything other than plastic door clips, rad clips or a cup of coffee. I would never compare a Canadian dealership to supplers like BMA and agree there is no contest. Further, I've had a US address for a number of years now and never pay brokerage/duties etc. Its a great way to go and has saved me a lot. However, the Canadian parts supplier we're discussing in this thread (not dealerships......) is as close as I've seen to anything o like BMA (once our weak dollar is considered). As well, albeit small, there is also a cost in time and gas to go retrieve items at the border.

Aside - I was just at the border in MN yesterday and payed $0.62 for gas. Would never have predicted that 6 months ago, crazy.

Dave

don't you guys feel morally obliged to pay the taxes? (..fake shock :D)

i agree - it totally depends on the part.

some stuff just isn't worth shipping. i have an awesome parts supplier within walking distance (they are the poor fellows providing my blackhole with alternators to feed on) and most of the time it's worth the extra 25-40%. - especially if the car isn't running :D (that's taking exchange rate into consideration - i find it's generally true what ben says about markup, i've seen double for sure)

there are way less of these cars around than in the USA though, so sometimes it is way easier to find something online.
I mentioned BMA and Pelican... they are great for us.
I wish there were more junked e34s around tho :(. I've never even seen a scrapped e32

[guinness]

Dave, Tim
I agree with you about the customs on the Canadian side and trying to get a broker for anything under $2000.00 will cost you more than it's worth. That being said I looked at some of the prices from the Canadian site and they do seem fair if you take the exchange rate into account.
Dave, do you use Rydens as your U.S. address? I believe that you can have UPS delivered to the Trading Post and save yourself a few dollars and they have cheaper gas.
Jim

[Ken35i]

HAHAHA, now I realize they don't ship internationally. :(

[Dave M]

Dave, Tim
I agree with you about the customs on the Canadian side and trying to get a broker for anything under $2000.00 will cost you more than it's worth. That being said I looked at some of the prices from the Canadian site and they do seem fair if you take the exchange rate into account.
Dave, do you use Rydens as your U.S. address? I believe that you can have UPS delivered to the Trading Post and save yourself a few dollars and they have cheaper gas.
Jim


Jim,

Yes, I've used Rydens for a number of years now. They're nice folks, always friendly and willing to search the store room for my bike and car parts :D. Not familiar with the Trading Post, but assume its a bit further south (?).

We should have a northern MN / Northwestern ON meet. We'll wait until its -40 so its a quick one :p

Dave

[guinness]

Dave,
The Trading Post is the gas station at the casino.

[Dave M]

Dave,
The Trading Post is the gas station at the casino.

Ahh, stopped in there on my way to the twin cities (on my way to Vegas). Thats quite a large station.